The Challenge begins!

The dreaded sound of the alarm clock goes off. In reality it doesn’t wake me up as I have been awake for quite some time. A multitude of thoughts run through my mind as I try to fall asleep…..unsuccessfully.

Sunday morning, 19th April. The first official ride of the Betfair Lifecycle Challenge 2009 will take place this morning and will be the start of this year’s training programme, scheduled to last sixteen weeks. Sixteen weeks of progressive training, building and developing our physical and mental fitness to cope with the grueling challenge that awaits us in August.

The Lifecycle Organisation requires no introduction. Since it’s inception in 1999, it has earned a well deserved reputation as being an organisation which organises a tough endurance event that sees dedicated cyclists battle several elements, crossing different countries all over the world averaging around 200 kilometres per day. But the yearly challenge isn’t just about cycling in extreme conditions. The cycling part is a means to an end. Raising funds and awareness about renal disease whilst supporting the Renal Unit at Mater Dei to assist in the upgrading of equipment which will increase the quality of life of patients visiting this unit is a small part of what this organization does.

My thoughts are back on the morning’s planned cycle. 60 kilometres. In all fairness I have cycled that amount of mileage in the past but it was always in a small and relaxed group. This time the group will be much larger. The cyclists’ assessed for their performance. What if I am not up to standard? What if I cannot cope?

Slowly I get out of bed. After having breakfast as instructed by Alan the day before, I put on my cycling gear. Go down to the garage to inspect my bike. Nothing should have changed from last night when I made sure that the tyre pressure was as it should be, the chain was well oiled and spare tube in my pouch. Slowly I set off for our meeting point at the entrance of Mater Dei. Cycling up towards the entrance, I see that the Organising Committee and back-up crew are setting up banners.

Being the first training event, we are having an official send off by the Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sport Clyde Puli. Slowly other cyclists start arriving. Some of them have already participated in previous events, others are new and probably feeling a bit lost like me. Although I might not show it I am quite a shy person and it does take me some courage to walk up to someone and introduce myself. But this is part of the Challenge and I start introducing myself to others. I think it is important to start working on building a team spirit from the very start. What if the group doesn’t gel? Team spirit or lack of it can make or break a group.

Getting to know other cyclists


At 9am sharp the Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sport Clyde Puli arrives and gives a brief speech. After the speech he goes round speaking to the cyclists, giving words of praise and encouragement and promising his Government’s support.

Lifecycle Deputy Chairman Mario Scerri briefing Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sports Clyde Puli on the Challenge and what it stands for

Group photo

It is time to set off on the route set for the day. I am one of the first to start off – mainly so that I can pick up my pace and then keep up as much as I can.

Heading towards the Birkirara by Pass we pick up a steady speed. Soon cyclists start zooming past me. Am I that slow I think? I look at my GPS and I am clocking 25km/hr. Not too bad I think. I continue with my pace, changing gears when necessary. The training I undertook, on my own, the previous week is beneficial as I could experiment with gears, without disrupting anyone’s pace or timings.

At regular intervals we see the back up crew either showing us the way or ensuring that we are fine. A back up vehicle, recognizable by the Betfair Lifecycle Challenge 2009 poster heads back and forth.

Sometimes other cyclists catch up with me and vice –versa. The pace is just right to have brief introductions but as soon as we get to Burmarrad hill, the downhill is too enticing and the majority of us just pedal faster, clocking 52km/hour and more.

Proceeding towards the Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road we are advised by the Backup team to undertake a couple of laps. I can’t help remembering a Facebook Status update a few days before when I commented on the fact that I had built an excellent relationship with the Coast Road having done a couple of laps there the day before. A comment which Sandro, a fellow cyclist, reminded me of just as he whizzed past me!

Cars are driving past me but I keep on focusing on my breathing, speed and occasionally at the wide open sea. Just before I reach Splash and Fun I am flagged down by Alan who advises me to put my bicycle seat higher. I am not too sure as I do not feel comfortable not being able to put my feet flat on the ground however Alan explains that my current posture on the bike will could lead to potential knee problems. The plan is to gradually increase the height of the seat till I feel comfortable enough. As Alan is busy sorting out my seat I see the other cyclists go past. My first thought is that I am going to lag behind but then this is a legitimate and important stop. If I don’t get the basics right at this stage of the challenge the consequences might be dire.


I start off again, heading up the slight incline towards Splash and Fun, Francesca and the girls flag the cars coming from the opposite direction enabling me to turn back and continue my lap. I start pedaling at a faster speed – my goal is to at least catch-up with the rest. In a couple of minutes, I see Carolina paddling on her gold coloured bike. God Bless her! Her bike is loaned and is not exactly the right kind of wheels to have but she is focused and looks determined. As we start the second lap I notice a fellow cyclist, Nigel, showing some signs of discomfort. The traffic lights are red so I stop next to him. He is suffering from cramps and tells me that he has not had breakfast so he is not feeling too well. I promptly give him one of my energy bars and encourage him to eat it. Making sure he is fine, I continue on my ride.

The sun is getting warmer. A gentle reminder of the weather we are to expect in Turkey and Syria this summer. After approximately 44 kms, we are directed to head towards Msida Bocci Club, going past St. Julian’s and Sliema seafront. The Regional Road tunnels are not an option as they are dangerous and it is illegal to cycle through tunnels. The steady climb up Bahar ic-Caghaq hill towards Pembroke is not easy but I keep focused on the cyclists ahead of me keeping a steady gap between us. Once this hill is over it is basically a constant flat road with some downhills towards Msida Bocci Club.

Reaching the Msida Bocci Club I find the backup team waiting for us. Throughout the whole ride they were there either following us in their cars, slowing down to check on us, to see if we are doing well or guiding us from fixed points, giving us words of encouragement. As I stop I realize that we have pedaled over 50kilometres. Admittedly the first 20 kilometres where the most difficult but once my muscles warmed up and I managed to get a steady pace going it felt good. Francesca, our physiotherapist is going around giving us tips on how to stretch our muscles to ensure minimal soreness or injury.

The first group training session is over. As we discuss our performance with the rest of the team, the magnitude of this event starts sinking in.

I feel proud to wear my Betfair Lifecycle Challenge T-Shirt.


Photos courtesy of Ray Pace

Prospective Cyclists’ Meeting – Sunday 5th April

 
My involvement with Lifecycle goes back to 2001 when the Life Cycle 2001 Tri-Island Challenge took place in September covering areas in Malta, Gozo and Sicily.  Forming part of the back up team, my recollections are those of saying to myself – “what?? Me taking part in something like this?? Never!”

Eight years later, I am at the Mater Dei Hospital Renal Unit Conference Room, submitting my application form to the organizing committee. Prior to the start of the meeting I meet up with cyclists who have already participated in this event, some even more than once. The fact that they come back for more is encouraging although from the looks of it they are very experienced cyclists – something that I am not.



As the room fills in we settle down. Waiting in anticipation to hear what Alan has to say. Alan gives a detailed brief on what is expected of us, what we are going to be faced with. He does not mince his words which is fine really. I want the crude facts and figures so I can prepare myself both physically and psychologically.  



A visit and explanation of what services the renal unit offers, the amount of patients that undergo therapy here and further insight to what Lifecycle stands for convinces me more that my decision to participate is a good one.